How to Use a Japanese Toilet
Most toilets in Japan are electronic appliances with a range of features for comfort and cleanliness. At the high end, these toilets have dozens of functions, configuration options and buttons. But the basic functions of electronic Japanese toilets aren’t that complex.
Wash Functions
Once you get accustomed to Japanese toilets you may wonder why they haven’t caught on elsewhere. The main function of electronic toilets are bidets that clean with a jet of water. Toilet paper is also provided. You can choose to use the bidet or ignore it. It’s recommended to give it a try. Toilets have two basic modes: bidet (feminine wash) and posterior wash. Men only use the posterior wash. Women use bidet or posterior wash depending on the situation.
Controlling the Bidet
The electronic bidet may have a wide range of controls for water pressure, temperature, pulsing modes, etc. However, to operate it you just need to stop and start it. The buttons are illustrated here:
The buttons look different from machine to machine but the icons are always the same. The feminine wash start button has a picture of a lady. The posterior wash start button has a picture of a butt being sprayed with water. The stop button has a (止) mark. For obvious reasons, it’s important to remain seated when you start the bidet and to stop it before standing. The bidet is powerful enough to spray water several meters in the air. The other important thing to remember is that toilets have a small flush and big flush. These are indicated with the kanji for small (小) and big (大). The flush may be controlled with a button, lever or by waving your hand in front of a laser sensor (depending on the system).
Other Functions
Electronic Japanese toilets range in price and features. The most common features are deodorizers, noise makers (for privacy) and heated seat (often on a timer). Toilets have a wide range of configurations for temperature, deodorizer mode, bidet mode and seat heat. As a traveler, you don’t necessarily need to understand these complexities.
Tags: electronic Japanese toilet, toilet
Categorised in: Only In Japan, Travel In Japan
This post was written by Mathew Ryan
How to Use a Japanese Toilet
Most toilets in Japan are electronic appliances with a range of features for comfort and cleanliness. At the high end, these toilets have dozens of functions, configuration options and buttons. But the basic functions of electronic Japanese toilets aren’t that complex.
Wash Functions
Once you get accustomed to Japanese toilets you may wonder why they haven’t caught on elsewhere. The main function of electronic toilets are bidets that clean with a jet of water. Toilet paper is also provided. You can choose to use the bidet or ignore it. It’s recommended to give it a try. Toilets have two basic modes: bidet (feminine wash) and posterior wash. Men only use the posterior wash. Women use bidet or posterior wash depending on the situation.
Controlling the Bidet
The electronic bidet may have a wide range of controls for water pressure, temperature, pulsing modes, etc. However, to operate it you just need to stop and start it. The buttons are illustrated here:
The buttons look different from machine to machine but the icons are always the same. The feminine wash start button has a picture of a lady. The posterior wash start button has a picture of a butt being sprayed with water. The stop button has a (止) mark. For obvious reasons, it’s important to remain seated when you start the bidet and to stop it before standing. The bidet is powerful enough to spray water several meters in the air. The other important thing to remember is that toilets have a small flush and big flush. These are indicated with the kanji for small (小) and big (大). The flush may be controlled with a button, lever or by waving your hand in front of a laser sensor (depending on the system).
Other Functions
Electronic Japanese toilets range in price and features. The most common features are deodorizers, noise makers (for privacy) and heated seat (often on a timer). Toilets have a wide range of configurations for temperature, deodorizer mode, bidet mode and seat heat. As a traveler, you don’t necessarily need to understand these complexities.
Tags: electronic Japanese toilet, toilet
Categorised in: Only In Japan, Travel In Japan
This post was written by Mathew Ryan